Material handling boom



Oct. 29, 1957 B. NlLsEN MATERIAL HANDLING BOOM Filed Dec. 8. 1955 2 Sheets-'Sheet 1 Bern! /Vi/sen 1N VEN TOR.

@Mm WWW Atlornqs Oct. 29, 1957 B. NlLsl-:N 2,811,261

MATERIAL HANDLING BooM Filed Dec. 8, 1955 l 2 Sheets-Shea#I 2 Fig. 4

Berni /V/sen IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent O MATERIAL HANDLING BOOM Bernt Nilsen, Barranquilla, Colombia Application December 8, 1955, Serial No. 551,919

Claims, (Cl. 212-58) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in material handling devices, and more specifically to an improved boom assembly for shipboard use.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved boom assembly specifically intended for shipboard use, the boom assembly including an upright sleeve having pivotally connected to an upper portion thereof an extending boom, there being carried by the sleeve for adjustable movement with respect thereto a base, the base being pivotally mounted with respect to both the boom and the sleeve whereby the base, when adjusted, will support the boom in selected adjusted position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved boom assembly for shipboard use, the boom assembly being of relatively simple construction and at the same time easily operated whereby the efhciency of the boom is relatively greater as compared to booms now being utilized aboard ships.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved boom assembly for shipboard use, the boom assembly being of such a construction whereby it may be quickly and easily mounted either on new ship construction or on existing ship construction and is of such a construction whereby it may be readily utilized for unloading materials through a hatch and for lowering such materials over the side with a minimum of effort.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved boom assembly, the boom assembly being extremely strong, as required in shipboard use for handling heavy loads, and at the same time being of an extremely simple construction and being highly maneuverable.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a sectional view taken through a ships deck and shows the details of the boom assembly which is the subject of this invention, the boom assembly being mounted on the ships deck;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan View of the ships deck and the boom assembly and shows further details thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and shows the specific details between a support slidably carried by the sleeve of the boom assembly, and the sleeve and a base for the boom;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the planeV indicated by section line 4 4 of Figure l and shows the specific mounting of the sleeve and the means for rotating the same as desired;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the 2 section line 5 5 of Figure l a'n'd shows Ithe specific details of the construction of the base for the boin;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan viewofa ship and shows the relationship of a pair of the boom assemblies, which is the subject of this invention, with respect to a ships hatch, alternative positions of the hoorn assemblies being shown in dotted lines; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through a hatch, and showing the same being moved by the boin assembly.

Referring now to the drawings inV detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the boom assembly which is the subject of this invention, the boom assembly being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The boom assembly 10 is illustrated as being mounted on a ships main deck 12, the deck 12 being braced at suitable intervals by ribs 14. It is pointed out at this time that while the boom assembly 10 is illustrated as being mounted on the main deck only, if desired, the supporting post therefor may extend down to the next deck so as to be suitably braced if it is deemed necessary.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the boom assembly 10 includes a main supporting post 16 which has secured at the lower end thereof a mounting plate 18. The mounting plate 18 is disposed in overlying relation with respect to the deck 12 and is secured thereto by means of a plurality of spaced fasteners 20. It is to be noted that the fasteners 20 pass through a plate 22 which underlies the deck 12 and reinforces the same.

The upper end of the post 16 is suitably braced by brace means which are referred to in general by 'the reference numeral 24. The brace means 24 includes a plug 26 disposed in the upper end of the post 16 and suitably secured thereto. It is pointed out at this time that, if desired, the post 16 may be made solid in which event the plug 26 would be integral. Carried by the plug 26 and seated on the upper end of the post 16 is a generally V-shaped fitting 28. The fitting 28 is held in place by a nut 30 threadedly engaged on a reduced upper end portion 32 of the plug 26. The nut 30 is prevented from rotating by a fastener 34 which extends through the plug 26 as well as the nut 30.

The fitting 28 includes a pair of arms 36 which extend in diverging relation from the plug 26.A Connected to each of the arms 36 and extending downwardly therefrom as an extension thereof is a tensioned cable 38 whose opposite end (not shown) is suitably secured to the deck 12 or other portions of the ship of which the deck 12 is a part.

Carried by the lower part of the post 16 is a bearing assembly which is referred to in general bythe reference numeral 4t). The bearing assembly 40 includes a sleeve bearing 42 which is telescoped over the extreme lower end of the post 16 and which seats on the mounting plate. The bearing assembly 40 also includes a horizontally disposed thrust bearing 44 which overlies the mounting plate 18 and seats thereon.

In addition to the bearing assembly 40, there is provided a sleeve bearing 46. The sleeve bearing 46 is mounted at the upper end of the post 16 and like the sleeve bearing 42, is telescoped thereover.

The boom assembly 10 also includes an elongated sleeve 48. The sleeve 48 is telescoped over the post 16 and fits on the sleeve bearings 42 and 46 for rotation with respect to the post 16. Secured to the lower end of the sleeve 48 is a base plate S0 which rests upon the horizontal thrust bearing 44. Thus the base plate 50 takes the vertical component of the load and post upon the sleeve 48 whereas the sleeve bearings 42 and 46 take the radial load placed upon the sleeve 48. In order that the thrust bearing 44 may besutably lubricated, the base plate iS provided with a suitable grease fitting 52.

A similar grease fitting 54 is carried by the sleeve 48 for lubricating the contact parts disposed between the sleeve 48 and the post 16.

Secured to the upward end of the sleeve 48 and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom are mounting means in the form of a pair of spaced parallel ears 56. Disposed between the ears 56 is an inner end of an arcuate boom which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 58. The boom 58 includes a solid inner end 60 which is disposed between the ears 56 and which receives a pivot pin 62 carried by the ears 56 so that the boom 58 is mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot pin 62. The boom 58 is of the skeletonized typeY being built of chord members 64 and 66 which are connected together by suitable X bracing 68. It is to be understood that the boom 58 is generally rectangular in cross section. In addition to the solid end 60, the boom 58 includes a solid outer end 70 and a built-up intermediate portion 72.

Slidably carried by the sleeve 48 for vertical movement is a support which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 74. The support 74, as is best illustrated in Figure 3, includes a pair of semi-cylindrical sleeves 76 which are provided at one edge with a short vertical extending ange 78 and at the opposite edge with a relatively elongated vertical flange 80. Extending vertically between the ears 56 and being secured to the post 48 for a considerable portion of the height is a track member 82.

The track member 82 is disposed between the flanges S0 and prevents rotation of the support 74 with respect to the sleeve 48.

. The halves 76 of the support 74 are clamped together by a rst series of fasteners 84 which pass through the flanges 78. A second series of'fasteners 86 pass through the. flanges 80. Other fasteners 88 pass through the anges `80 and the track member 82 to retain the support 74 in a 'vertically adjusted position on the sleeve 48.

The boom assembly also includes an arcuate brace which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 90. The brace 90 is of skeletonized construction and includes a pair of chordal members 92 and a pair of lower chordal members 94, the chordal members 92 and 94 being connected together by a suitable X-bracing 96. Like the boom 58, the brace 90 is generally rectangular in 'cross section.

The brace 90 includes a solid outer portion 98 which includes a pair of spaced plates 100.` The brace 90 also includes a solid inner portion 102 which includes a pair 'of spaced plates 104.

Extending downwardly from the intermediate portion '72 is a pair of spaced plates 106 which are disposed within the plates 100. Extending through the plates 100 and 106 is a pivot pin 108 which connects the brace 90 to the intermediate portion of the boom 58.

As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the plates 104 are disposed outwardly ofthe flanges 80 and are also connected to them by a suitable pivot pin 110. Thus the vbrace 90 is not only pivotally connected to the boom 58,

but to the support 74. Accordingly, by vertically adjusting the support 74 on the sleeve 4S, the boom 58 may be pivoted about the pivot pin 62 so as to extend or retract 'spect to the ears 56. Extending between Vthe ears 112 --and 114 is asuitable block and tackle 116. By manipu- =lating `the block and tackle 116, the support 74 may be raised and lowered as deemed necessary.

In order that the boom assembly 10 may function, there .is mounted on the deck 12 a suitable winch structure 118.

The winch structure 118 includes a line 120, which may be in the form of a cable. The line 120 passes under suitable blocks 122 connected to the deck 12. A block ,is a part.

4 124 is carried by the support 74. Similar blocks 126 and 128 are carried by the brace 90. A block 130 is carried by the plates 106 and a last block 132 is carried by the outer end of the boom 58. The flexible lifting line 120 is entrained over all of these blocks and terminates in a swivel 134 and a lifting hook 136. By operating the winch 118, the hook 1367may be raised and lowered as desired.

In order Ithat material handled by the hook 136 may be positioned, it is necessary that the sleeve 48, the boom 58 and the brace-90 be swung as a unit. In order to accomplish this, there is secured to the lower part of the sleeve 48 a horizontally disposed Worm wheel 138. Engaged with the worm 138 vis a worm lgear 140 carried by a suitable bracket 142. Connected to the worm gear 140 is a bevel gear 144 which is in turn meshed with a bevel gear 146, as is best illustrated in Figure 4. Connected to the bevel gear 146 is a suitable motor 148 for driving the same. v l l Referring now to Figures 1, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the deck 12 is provided with a suitable `hatch 150, the hatch 150 normally being covered by a hatch cover 152. By mounting a pair of boom assemblies 10 in the solid positions of Figure 6, it willbe readily apparent that the booms 10 may be utilized simultaneously for loading or unloading materials through the hatch 150 directly over the side of the ship of which the deck 12 It lis to be noted that the boom assembly 10, as is best illustrated in Figure 7, is in a position to handle the hatch cover 152 for removing it and replacing it as deemed necessary.

While lthe boom assemblies 10 have been illustrated in position for operating through the hatch 150, in the event there is another hatch, such as the hatch 154 which is disposed closely adjacent the hatch 150, it may be desirable to place the boom assemblies 10 in the dotted line positions of Figure 6. In such instance, the boom assemblies 10 may then operate through the two hatches 150 and 154. Y

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boom assembly for shipboard comprising a post, means for lixedly securing said post to a ships deck, a sleeve telescoped over said post and rotatably journaled thereon, said sleeve having an upper end including mounting means, a boom hingedly secured yto said upper end by said mounting means, a brace pivotally connected to said boom, a support slidably .carried by said sleeve and selectively vertically positioned thereon, means pivotally connecting said brace to said support whereby said brace may be adjusted to vary the horizontal component of said boom, said boom and said brace being arcuate in side elevation.

2. A boom assembly for shipboard comprising a post, means for ixedly securing said post to a ships deck, a sleeve telescoped over said'post land rotatably journaled thereon, said sleeve having an upper end including mounting means, a boom hingedly connected to said boom, a support slidably carried by said sleeve and selectively vertically positioned thereon, means pivotally connecting said brace to said support whereby said brace may be adjusted to vary the horizontal component of said boom, means carried by said sleeve and connected to said support for facilitating the raising and lowering of said support, track means on said sleeve, said support being interlocke'd with said track means to prevent relative rotation between said sleeve and said support.

3.. A boom assembly for shipboard comprising a post,

means for xedly securing said post to a shps deck, a sleeve telescoped over said post and rotatably journaled thereon, said sleeve having an upper end including mounting means, a boom 'hingedly connected to said boom, a support slidably carried by said sleeve and selectively vertically positioned thereon, means pivotally connecting said brace to said support whereby said brace may be adjusted to vary the horizontal component of said boom, means carried by said sleeve and connected to said support for facilitating the raising and lowering of said support, track means on said sleeve, said support being interlocked with said track means to prevent relative rotation between said sleeve and said support, and means selectively interlocking said support to said track 6 means for retaining said support in a vertically adjusted position.

4. The boom assembly of claim 2 wherein said post extends through and above said sleeve, brace means for said post connected to an upper end thereof.

5. The boom assembly of claim 2 wherein said boom and said brace are arcuate in side elevation.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

